On December 29, 1972, a plane crash claimed the lives of 101 people on board. The crash was a result of a mechanical failure of a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar Jet, which crashed into the Florida Everglades. This tragedy is known as the Don Repo Flight 401 crash.

Don Repo Flight 401 was a chartered flight for Eastern Air Lines, which departed from John F. Kennedy airport in New York City and was headed towards Miami International Airport. The flight was carrying 163 passengers and 13 crew members. The flight was operated by a new and modernized aircraft, the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar Jet.

The flight ran into trouble over the Florida Everglades when the landing gear failed to engage. The pilots attempted to troubleshoot the problem but, in the process, they accidentally disengaged the autopilot. This led to the plane losing altitude and eventually crashing into the swampy Everglades.

The crash claimed the lives of 101 people and left many more injured. The tragedy was a result of a mechanical failure that could have been avoided if the proper procedures had been followed. This incident led to new safety measures that are still enforced today, such as the mandatory use of checklists and other procedures to prevent human error.

The legacy of the Don Repo Flight 401 crash is a reminder of the importance of safety in the aviation industry. It led to stricter regulations and improved safety procedures, which have helped to increase the safety of air travel in the years since. The crash also serves as a reminder of the importance of proper training for pilots and other crew members in the aviation industry.

Don Repo Flight 401 remains a tragic event in the history of aviation. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety protocols and the need to follow them to avoid accidents. The legacy of this tragedy can be seen in the many safety improvements that have been made in the aviation industry since then. May the souls of the 101 people who lost their lives in this crash rest in peace.